Gunter Wrogemann keeps Negev going to hold off Ilha Bela in the Listed Syringa Handicap (JC Photos)
The Stronghold filly Negev is surely regarded as something of a one hit wonder. Her good earlier form, including a fast finishing second from a bad draw behind Rock Of Arts in the 2012 R2, 5 million Emperor’s Palace Ready To Run Cup, perhaps placing a too weighty burden of expectation on her shoulders. But she came up at any price to cause a surprise in Sunday’s R150 000 Listed Syringa Handicap run over a mile on the Turffontein inner track.
Often a consistent place getter, the Summerhill Stud bred 4yo was the lesser fancied of the Louis Goosen pair on Sunday, but gave many punters a shock after getting first run on the pack and staying on all the way up the straight.
She can’t be too bad, having earned a few rand short of a bar and obviously enjoyed the drop in class after her three recent feature efforts. She came in fit and well.
The underrated Gunter Wrogemann rode a great race to keep the 33 to 1 shot Negev plugging away and she ran on strongly to hold Ilha Bela to a quarter length at the line in a time of 99,46 secs.
Her very consistent and more fancied stablemate Moggytwoshoes ran on nicely for third, while Ormond Ferraris’ Erin maintained her consistent form profile by flying up late for fourth. She will be better over further.
Negev is a R330 000 Ready To Run purchase and is by Stronghold out of the Irish bred Doyoun mare, Haifaa.
She has won 4 races from 30 starts with 13 places and took her earnings with this win to R970 000.
Gavin Lerena guides Master Sabina to an easy win (JC Photos)
Geoff Woodruff’s Vodacom Durban July candidate Master Sabina bounced back at his second run after gelding to win the sixth race, a Pinnacle Stakes over a mile.
Mike De Broglio’s 4yo was well handled by Gavin Lerena to beat Brooks-Club by three quarters of a length.
Master Sabina still has some ground to make up to make the July cut and the Cup Trial may be his best option at this point.
He has never won at stakes level and his career best remains his narrow second to stablemate Yorker in the 2013 Sansui Summer Cup.
Joint topweight Pomodoro ran on steadily to run a 3,75 length fourth at 12 to 10. Sean Tarry said he was not unhappy with the run as he felt that the former July winning entire was still carrying condition.
There were three entertaining apprentice handicaps to complicate matters further in a tough Pick Six and with Franklin Maleking winning two of the three, and Collen Storey the remainder, they reached their respective 40 winner marks and thus henceforth only claim a 1,5kg allowance.
